Nagpur: In an era when newly built bridges across India make headlines for cracks, cave-ins, and even collapses, one colonial-era engineering wonder in Nagpur district continues to defy time and tide. The Kanhan River bridge near Kamptee, built in 1873, has stood strong for over 152 years — silently bearing witness to history, from the British Raj to the 79th Independence Day of a free India.

Constructed with 12 majestic elliptical arches, each spanning 80 feet, the stone masonry bridge was once hailed as “the finest masonry bridge in India” by the Nagpur District Gazetteer of 1908. Originally designed to carry both the metre-gauge railway line to Chhattisgarh and road traffic, it became a vital link between Kamptee and Kanhan.

Its stones have felt the rumble of British military convoys during both World Wars, witnessed the midnight hour of August 15, 1947, adapted to the rush of modern vehicles, and remained in service through pandemics — from the 1918 Spanish Flu to COVID-19.

In stark contrast, the past two years have seen the premature collapse of several new structures, including Gujarat’s Gambhira Bridge, the repeatedly failing Aguwani–Sultanganj bridge in Bihar, and bridges in Pune, Akola, and parts of Nagpur district. Experts cite poor construction quality, overloading, and inadequate maintenance as the key reasons for these modern-day failures.

Heritage experts say the Kanhan bridge’s longevity lies in its over-engineered colonial craftsmanship, precision stonework, and meticulous upkeep during its early decades. Built to last centuries, not just decades, it remains a functional piece of infrastructure and a symbol of durability in an age of planned obsolescence.

As India marks its 79th year of freedom, the Kanhan River bridge stands not just as a transport link, but as a living monument — reminding us that true engineering is timeless, and history is best served on a foundation built to endure.